College football’s Treat 16 Power Poll: Utah Utes are seizing the moment

by atom bash

Finally, the Utah Utes made it into the College football Treat 16 Power Poll. Entering last weekend, the Utes had played well, but they were supposed to be tested in their first PAC-12 road game of the year. Instead, the Utes knocked off the Oregon Ducks 62-20.

The Utes dominated in every facet of the game. In the second and third quarter, Utah outscored the Ducks 49-7. Besides that, Oregon played even with the Utes. Travis Wilson connected on 18/30 passes for 227 yards, and four touchdowns. He also gashed the Ducks’ defense for 100 yards rushing and a touchdown.

The Utes may have won their first PAC-12 battle of the season, but they have plenty of contests coming up in October. Their next game is against an undefeated California Bears team. However, the Utes have a bye week to get ready for their status as an elite team.

The Northwestern Wildcats joined the Utes in the updated college football Treat 16 Power Poll. Like the Utes, Northwestern has gradually become a contender for their conference championship. They enter the Big Ten schedule with a perfect record, and they are the highest ranked team in the Big Ten West.

Defensively, the Wildcats have been brutal towards their opponents. The most points they’ve given up is 19 to Ball State. Northwestern opponents have three offensive touchdowns. In addition, the Wildcats don’t face the most prolific offenses during the conference schedule. We’ll see if they can continue to win the close games the rest of the way.

The Top 10 of the College football Treat 16 remains the same. Due to a lack of heavyweight games, and multiple byes, only the TCU Horned Frogs were challenged. They needed a lucky bounce to defeat the Texas Tech Red Raiders, but sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good.

Besides Utah, the UCLA Bruins were the most impressive team last Saturday. However, their top five ranking stayed in the same place.

Here is the fourth edition of the Treat 16 Power Poll. You can also see the previous Treat 16 Power Poll here.

1. Ohio State Buckeyes: The Ohio State Buckeyes haven’t been the most efficient offensive team in the first month, but they’ve been playing great defense. What’s the chances that they get another defensive touchdown on Saturday? They face another undefeated team in the Big Ten. Next game vs. Indiana.

2. TCU Horned Frogs: This time TCU won a 55-52 game in the final seconds. Defensively, the Horned Frogs are playing with a whole new lineup. Can they stand up to the Big 12 offenses? Next game vs. Texas.

3. Michigan State Spartans: The Spartans are No.2 in the AP and Coaches Poll, but they remain behind TCU here. They have an relatively easy Big Ten opener on Saturday. Next game vs. Purdue.

4. Ole Miss Rebels: Ole Miss didn’t handle Vanderbilt with ease, but they earned a second SEC victory. Now they go on the road to battle another ranked SEC foe. Next game vs. Florida.

5. UCLA Bruins: UCLA might have the most impressive wins this season. They destroyed Arizona on the road, despite losing top notch defensive players. The PAC-12 South gauntlet continues. Next game vs. Arizona State.

6. Baylor Bears: The Baylor Bears have scored in the over 50 points in every game. Will they reach 80 points next game? Seth Russell has barely broken a sweat yet. However, he may be playing the whole game on Saturday. Here’s to another six touchdown passes. Next game vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders.

7. Notre Dame Fighting Irish: Notre Dame has crushed expectations so far. They get another chance for a big win this weekend. Could this be the start for a run to an undefeated season? Next game vs. Clemson.

8. Georgia Bulldogs: Let’s face it, Georgia hasn’t done anything up until this point. They get to change all of it with a win on Saturday. Nick Chubb will finally get a chance to display his skills in 2015. Next game vs. Alabama.

9. LSU Tigers: It’s all about Leonard Fournette for the LSU Tigers. Syracuse gave the LSU a tough game, but the ground game was the difference. Is LSU really a top 10 team? We won’t see this week, but Fournette could break the single game rushing record if Les Miles wants. Next game vs. Eastern Michigan.

10. Florida State Seminoles: The Seminoles had a week to work on their offensive consistency. Let’s see if they can put their time off to good use. Next game vs. Wake Forest.

11. Clemson Tigers: Clemson is part of the biggest game of the weekend. They also had a bye in preparation for College GameDay. Can the Tigers rise to the occasion on Saturday? Next game vs. Notre Dame.

12. Utah Utes: The Utah Utes are in a real battle for the PAC-12 South division. They took a big step by destroying Oregon. However, they are just beginning to take flight. Next game vs. Cal.

13. Oklahoma Sooners: The Sooners are rolling behind Baker Mayfield at quarterback. After a bye week, they get a great test this Saturday. Let’s see how the Sooners handle Big 12 play. Next game vs. West Virginia.

14. Northwestern Wildcats: Are you a believer in the Northwestern Wildcats yet? Their defense has been dynamite. If the offense comes along, the Wildcats could vie for the Big Ten Championship.

15. Texas A&M Aggies: The Aggies defeated Arkansas in overtime for the second straight year. Let’s see if they can get through the SEC West this season. Next game vs. Mississippi State.

16. Alabama Crimson Tide: Alabama’s season is on the line this weekend. If they get a second loss, they are likely out of the running for the SEC West crown. If they get a win, the Crimson Tide will be in the race for a College Football Playoff run. Next game vs. Georgia.